MUSKEGON TOWNSHIP, MI -- A whistleblower's complaint led the state of Michigan to investigate former WayPoint Academy Director Barbara Stellard for improper pupil counts.

That’s according to a spokeswoman for the state Attorney General’s office, which filed a 10-count criminal complaint against Stellard.

“The Department of Education received a tip from someone in the district that something may be awry,” said Joy Yearout, acting director of communications for the office. “The case was referred to our Criminal Division for further investigation.”

Stellard, 58, of North Muskegon was arraigned Thursday on two felony counts of obtaining between $1,000 and $20,000 through false pretenses; seven counts of falsifying student records, which is a high-court misdemeanor; and one felony “common law offense” for misconduct in office.

“Our case alleges that Stellard submitted false pupil counts to the state, continuing to count students who had left WayPoint for other school districts,” Yearout said.

Stellard worked at WayPoint, a sixth through 12th grade charter school in Muskegon Township, beginning in 2002 and at least through 2008.